_My son, attend unto my wisdom._ CAUTION AGAINST SEXUAL SINS The scope of the passage is a warning against seventh-commandment sins, which youth is so prone to, the temptations to which are so violent, the examples of which are so many, and which, where admitted, are so destructive to all the seed... [ Continue Reading ]
_That thou mayest regard discretion._ THE WISE MAN’S INTENTION IN GIVING ADVICE Some knit these words to what follows, and understand them thus: “I wish thee to hearken to wise counsels, that thy heart may not admit thoughts of the beauty of strumpets, nor thy lips talk of such wanton objects as t... [ Continue Reading ]
_For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb._ A STRANGE WOMAN One outside of the true family bonds and relationships. This description has been regarded by expositors as having a double sense. 1. It is a portrait of a harlot, especially one of foreign extraction. 2. It is a representat... [ Continue Reading ]
_Her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them._ THE MOVABLE WAYS OF THE TEMPTER The wiseman lets us know how foolish it is for men to flatter themselves with the hope that they shall by and by be truly disposed and enabled to repent of their sin. The temptress can form her mode of behaviour... [ Continue Reading ]
_Lest thou give thine honour unto others._ A MAN’S HONOUR SUNK IN SENSUALITY A good name is better than precious ointment, but of a good name this abominable sin is the ruin. The credit of David and of Solomon was greatly sunk by it. By it has the honour of thousands been irretrievably lost. Life i... [ Continue Reading ]
_And thou mourn at the last._ DYING REGRETS Religion has one undeniable advantage to recommend it--whatever it calls us to sacrifice or to suffer, it always ends well. On the other hand, sin has one undeniable evil to excite our aversion and horror--whatever sensual pleasures and imaginary profit... [ Continue Reading ]
_And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof._ CONSCIENCE AS AN INSTRUMENT OF PUNISHMENT These are supposed to be the words of a young man whose dissolute life had induced disease and want and infamy. He stands out upon the dim verge of life, a beacon light to all who live... [ Continue Reading ]
_And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers._ CONSEQUENCES OF DISOBEDIENCE Can any state be more distressing than that of an individual who has enjoyed the best opportunities of securing his own happiness and promoting that of others, totally failing in both these, and becoming the subject of bi... [ Continue Reading ]
_Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well._ SPIRITUAL RESOURCES I. Man has independent spiritual resources. 1. He has independent sources of thought. Every sane man can and does think for himself. 2. He has independent sources of experience. No two have exa... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad._ THE CHILDREN OF MARRIAGE Streams of children. Unlawful intercourse is often barren. I. Children of lawful marriage are like rivers. 1. In plenty. God’s blessing goes with marriage. 2. In purity. Pure fountains bring forth pure streams. 3. In spreading a... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let them be only thine own, and not strangers’ with thee._ STRANGERS WITH THEE Strangers with thee in life! Those united in Christ are those only who are united in truth. Strangers with thee in death! Alone wilt thou descend the banks of that dark river. For be assured the hosts of darkness and s... [ Continue Reading ]
_For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord._ THE METHOD OF PROVIDENCE FOR RESTRAINING EVIL God announces Himself the witness and judge of man. The evil-doer can neither elude the all-seeing eye, nor escape from the almighty hand. Secrecy is the study and the hope of the wicked. A sinner’s... [ Continue Reading ]
_His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself._ MAN AS KNOWN BY GOD AND PUNISHED BY SIN I. Man as known by God. The fact that God knows man thoroughly, if practically realised, will have a fourfold effect upon the soul. 1. It will stimulate to great spiritual activity. 2. It will restrain fr... [ Continue Reading ]
_He shall die without instruction._ THE GREAT CHARITY OF EARLY INSTRUCTION All persons are born in a state of ignorance and darkness as to spiritual things; therefore all young persons need instruction. Good instruction in youth is God’s appointed means to bring men to the saving knowledge of Hims... [ Continue Reading ]